As of today, 16 states have entirely lifted their stay-at-home orders (while nine of them never had one to begin with). The rest have yet to set a date for their orders to expire. 

Sailing in these uncharted waters, there are 3 essential things that we should all keep in mind as we start accelerating past the green light: 

1. Sunscreen (but like, the right kind)

Chances are you're as pale as a goose in the middle of winter, but think twice before reaching for a sunscreen with an SPF up in the stratosphere. According to the EWG's findings, a sunscreen's Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is only aimed at blocking UVB rays, not UVA rays. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and is known to have a higher risk of causing melanoma. 

If applied correctly, SPF 50 sunscreen blocks 98 percent of UVB rays while SPF 100 blocks 99 percent. So the benefit of even twice the amount of SPF is marginal. A high-SPF product also means more sun-filtering chemicals, which have been known to cause tissue damage and possible hormone complications. 

Per their respective government regulations, European and Korean sunscreens are more capable of protecting you from harmful UVA rays than their American counterparts. Korean brands abide by the PA (Protection Grade of UVA rays) system, which measures both UVA and UVB exposure.

So be on the lookout for "broad spectrum" sunscreens that mention both SPF and PA ratings on their labels. 

2. Maxi Skirts are in

(photo courtesy of Vogue Paris)

Summer fashion has already started as we're ready to move on from a whole season spent indoors. Maxi skirts are going to be a summer 2020 staple, and those with tropical prints even more à la mode. Here are few that we love:

Dakota Skirt from Tiare Hawaii at Revolve.com—$100

Printed Maxi Skirt from Scotch & Soda—on sale for $101.50

Cypress Printed Ruffle Skirt from Free People—$128

FP One Cypress Ruffle Skirt from Free People—$128

3. Remember to be kind to one another

We've all been cooped up inside our homes since mid-March, anxious about catching a life-threatening virus just by going to the supermarket. People will understandably be a little reactive and testy to be around. It's anxiety-inducing just thinking about how you're going to maintain 6 feet from everyone you encounter. 

Patience is a virtue we will all need during these times. 

Be easy on others—and yourself. If you're feeling cordial, remember that social distancing doesn't mean you can't say or wave hello. If someone's being more aggressive than is required, keep in mind that it's nothing personal and they may be processing the epidemic differently than you. And, if you're not feeling comfortable with going out like everyone else, know that everyone's personal timetables are different and the current circumstances are abnormal.

It's been a collective effort to overcome the first stages of this epidemic—it will take the same effort to start returning some normalcy back into our lives.